Washing machine lid

ABSTRACT

A top loading washing machine includes a lid with a flexible seal formed on the rear edge of the lid to seal the gap between the rear edge of the lid and the top cover of the washing machine cabinet. The seal is integrally formed with the lid as an extension of the inner lid liner or an overmolded addition to the inner lid liner. The seal provides a sound and moisture barrier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-part of application Ser.No. 10/410,966 filed Apr. 10, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Top loading washing machines generally have a cabinet with a tubmounted therein for washing clothes and other laundry. The cabinetincludes a top cover with an opening to provide access to the tub. A lidis mounted to the top cover for movement between open and closedpositions relative to the opening in the top cover. When the lid is in aclosed position, there normally is a gap between the perimeter edge ofthe lid and the top cover. Various types of seals have been provided inthe prior art which are mounted on the lid or the top cover to close thegap. However, problems exist with the prior art seals. For example, thegap dimension is variable between machines due to the variations in themanufacturing and assembly process. Therefore, the seals do not alwaysextend fully between the lid and the top cover such that a spaceremains. If the gap is not completely closed, undesirable noise escapesthrough the gap. Moisture may also pass through the gap if the seal doesnot extend completely between the lid and top cover.

[0003] Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is theprovision of an improved washing machine lid.

[0004] Another objective of the present invention is the provision of awashing machine lid having an integrally formed seal to close the gapbetween the rear edge of the lid and the top cover of the cabinet.

[0005] A further objective of the present invention is the provision ofa washing machine lid having a flexible seal which will accommodatemanufacturing variations to close the gap between the rear edge of thelid and the top cover of the cabinet.

[0006] Still another objective of the present invention is the provisionof an improved washing machine lid having a seal which is economical tomanufacture, and durable and efficient in use.

[0007] These and other objectives will become apparent from thefollowing description of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An improved lid is provided for a clothes washer having a cabinetwith a top cover, and with an opening to provide access to the tub inthe cabinet. The washer also includes a lid pivotally connected to thetop cover for movement between open and closed positions. Theimprovement to the lid comprises a flexible seal connected to andextending rearwardly from the rear edge of the lid so as to be adaptedto engage the top cover and thereby close the gap between the lid andthe top cover. The seal is integrally formed with the lid. In oneembodiment, the seal is formed as an extension of the inner liner of thelid, with a hinge to flexibly connect the seal to the liner. In anotherembodiment, the seal is overmolded onto the inner liner so as to beintegrally formed therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a washing machine lid assembly.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the lid assembly.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the lid assembly.

[0012]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the inner and outer lids, theretainer brackets, and the detergent dispenser of the lid assembly.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the inner lid.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 2.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 2.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the detergent dispenser showing thewater flow path through the dispenser.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a view of the lid assembly of the present inventionmounted on a washing machine cabinet.

[0018]FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the detergentdispenser.

[0019]FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of one of the retainer brackets.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a top loading washing machinewith the lid in a closed position.

[0021]FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along lines 13-13 of FIG. 12.

[0022]FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the seal of the present inventiontaken along line 14 of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The lid assembly 10 of the present invention is intended for useon a vertical axis washing machine. As seen in FIG. 9, the washingmachine includes a cabinet 12 with an opening 14 providing access to theinner drum (not shown).

[0024] The lid assembly 10 includes an outer lid 18 and an inner lid 20.The outer lid 18 is preferably made of sheet metal and is porcelaincoated. The inner lid 20 is preferably made of plastic and is secured tothe outer lid 18 without the use of screws or other fasteners whichpenetrate the outer lid 18, as described below.

[0025] As best seen in FIG. 4, the outer lid 18 includes a front edge22, a rear edge 24, and opposite side edges 26. The edges 22, 24, 26extend substantially perpendicular to the primary surface 28 of theouter lid 18. A perimeter flange or lip 30 extends inwardly from theedges 22, 24, 26.

[0026] A pair of mounting or retainer brackets 32 reside along the sideedges 26 adjacent the rear corners 34 of the outer lid 18. The brackets32 are held in position by the perimeter flange 30 of the outer lid 18.Each bracket 32 includes a key slot 36 and a snap receiver 38. Eachbracket 32 also includes a pin or post 40 which extends through a hole42 in the side edges 26 adjacent the rear comers 34 of the outer lid 18.The pins 40 are also received in corresponding holes (not shown) in thetop cover 13 adjacent the access opening 14, thereby defining ahorizontal pivot axis which allows the lid assembly 10 to move betweenopen and closed positions relative to the access opening 14.

[0027] The inner lid 20 includes a front or outer surface 44 and a rearor inner surface 46. The inner lid 20 also includes a front edge 48, arear edge 50, and the opposite side edges 52. As seen in FIG. 5, a pairof key tabs or locking tabs 54 extend from the inner surface 46 adjacentthe opposite side edges 52 of the inner lid 20. The key tabs 54 areadapted to be received in the key slots 36 of the retainer brackets 32.The key tabs 54 generally have a T-shaped structure with a head and aleg. The key slots 36 include a lower end sufficiently large to receivethe head of the key tabs 54, and a narrow upper portion which receivesthe leg of the key tabs 54 while retaining the head thereof.

[0028] The inner lid 20 also includes a pair of snap tabs 56 adjacentthe rear edge 50. The snap tabs 56 are adapted to be received in thesnap receivers 38 of the retainer brackets 32. The snap tabs 56 areinserted into the snap receivers 38 after the key tabs 54 are slidupwardly into the narrow portion of the key slots 36. As the key tabs 54are slid into the key slots 36, the front edge 48 of the inner lid 20 isreceived under the perimeter flange 30 adjacent the front edge 22 of theouter lid 18. Spacer tabs 58 are formed in the front edge 48 of theinner lid 20 so as to provide a snug fit in the front edge 22 of theouter lid 18.

[0029] The front surface 44 of the inner lid 20 includes a recess 60 forreceiving a detergent dispenser 62. More particularly, a pair of slots64 are provided in the inner lid 20 adjacent the rear edge 50 thereof.The slots 64 are adapted to receive mounting tabs 66, which also extendunder or capture the perimeter flange 30 of the outer lid adjacent therearward edge 24 thereof. The upper end of the detergent dispenser 62includes a snap tab 68 which is adapted to snap fit into a shoulder 70in the inner lid 20. A recess 72 is provided above the shoulder 70 sothat a person can use his/her finger to push the resilient snap tab 68out of engagement with the shoulder 70 to remove the detergent dispenser62 from the inner lid 20.

[0030] The detergent dispenser 62 includes a compartment 74 to receiveliquid detergent and a compartment 76 to receive powder detergent. Awater inlet 78 is formed in the detergent dispenser 62 and residesadjacent the rear edge 50 of the inner lid 20. The water inlet 78directs water into each of the compartments 74, 76, as shown by thearrows in FIG. 8, to flush the respective detergent into the drum of thewashing machine during the wash cycle of the machine operation. Thecompartment has a ceiling wall 77 and a wedge projection 79 which issloped to facilitate flush-out of the detergent into the drum. Water isalso directed to the upper end of the detergent dispenser for exitthrough holes 80 to provide a pre-wet shower for laundry in the drum.The liquid compartment 74 includes a conventional stand pipe 82 so thatliquid detergent is not flushed from the compartment 74 until water isintroduced through the water inlet 78. The stand pipe 82 is formed aspart of the detergent dispenser 62. A siphon cover (not shown) is placedover the stand pipe to create a siphon system. The stand pipe and thesiphon cover 82 extends through a hole on the back of the detergentdispenser and is secured by a twist lock.

[0031] The compartment 76 is also adapted to hold a detergent tablet.The compartment has a bottom wall 73 and ribs or projections 75 whichspace the tablet from the bottom wall 73 so as to enhance water contactwith the tablet. The ribs 75 are also sloped to facilitate discharge ofthe tablet into the drum.

[0032] The inner lid 20 includes a pair of water inlets 84 adjacent therear edge 50 thereof. The water inlets 84 are formed on the frontsurface 44 of the inner lid 20. A pair of water channels 86 are providedon the rear surface 46 of the inner lid 20 and cooperate with the waterinlets 84 to define a water flow path to water outlets 88 adjacent thefront edge 48 of the inner lid. The water outlets 88 are positioned overa bleach receptacle 90 and fabric softener receptacle 92 formed in theupper wall of the cabinet 12, as shown in FIG. 9. Thus, at the propertimes during the wash cycle, water can be introduced through the waterinlets 84 and into the water channels 86 for dispensement through theoutlets 88 into the receptacles 90, 92 so as to flush bleach or fabricsoftener into the drum. The water channels 86 are preferably made ofplastic and welded to the rear surface 46 of the inner lid 20.

[0033] It is common in the art to utilize rubber hoses with spring steelclamps as the water distribution means to distribute water to dispensersmounted on the cabinet. The hoses are relatively expensive, andsubstantial installation effort is required during assembly. The waterchannels 86 provide an economical water distribution means.

[0034] The water channels 86 also include an internal dividing wall 87which defines a water trap 89 in each of the channels 86. When the lidassembly 10 is raised from the closed position, any water remaining inthe channels 86 will drain into the traps 89. Thereby precludingaccidental spillage onto a user or into the drum.

[0035] Thus, from the foregoing it is seen that the inner lid 20 ismounted to the outer lid 18 without the use of separate fasteners andwithout penetrating any portion of the outer lid 18. Also, when theinner lid 20 is mounted on the outer lid 18, there are no visiblefasteners or connector means.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the inner lid 20 may also include sealinggaskets 94 which are overmolded onto the inner lid 20 adjacent the frontedge 48 and rear edge 50. The gaskets 94 may extend partially orcompletely along the side edges of the inner lid 20. The sealing gaskets94 engage portions of the cabinet adjacent the access opening 14 whenthe lid assembly 10 is closed to prevent escape of moisture during thewash operation.

[0037] As an alternative to the overmolded seal 94 at the rear edge 50of the inner lid 20, the inner lid or liner 20 may be formed with arearwardly extending lip or seal 96 which engages the top cover 13 ofthe cabinet 12 when the lid 10 is closed. As shown in FIG. 14, seal 96is preferably integrally molded of the same material utilized forforming inner liner 20. As best seen in FIG. 14, the lip or seal 96includes a reduced thickness portion defining a hinge 98 so that theseal 96 is flexible. The flexibility of the seal 96 accommodatesmanufacturing variances which produce gaps 100 having varying widthsbetween the rear edge 50 of the lid assembly 10 and the top cover 13.Thus, the seal 96 will contact the top cover 13 to provide a noise andmoisture barrier, despite manufacturing variances. The inner lid 20 andseal 96 are preferably made of plastic, such as a polypropylenematerial. The overmolded seal 94 preferably is a thermoplastic material.

[0038] The invention has been shown and described above with thepreferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications,substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intendedspirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seenthat the present invention accomplishes at least all of its statedobjectives.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved lid for a clothes washer having acabinet with a top cover, an opening in the top cover for access to awashing chamber, and a lid pivotally connected to the top cover, the lidhaving an inner liner, the improvement comprising: a flexible lipconnected to and extending rearwardly from a rear edge of the innerliner and being adapted to engage the top cover so as to form a sealbetween the lid and the top cover.
 2. The improved lid of claim 1wherein the lip is integrally formed with the inner liner.
 3. Theimproved lid of claim 1 wherein the lip is overmolded onto the innerliner.
 4. The improved lid of claim 1 wherein the lip is plastic.
 5. Theimproved lid of claim 1 wherein the lip includes a hinge flexiblyconnecting the lip to the liner.
 6. A washing machine comprising: acabinet with a washing chamber therein; a top cover on the cabinet withan opening to provide access to the washing chamber; a lid pivotallyattached to the top cover; a gap between the top cover and a rear edgeof the lid; and a flexible seal formed on the rear edge of the lid andextending rearwardly to engage the top cover and thereby close the gapbetween the top cover and the rear edge of the lid.
 7. The washingmachine of claim 6 wherein the lid includes an outer shell and an innerliner connected to the shell.
 8. The improved lid of claim 7 wherein thelip is integrally formed with the inner liner.
 9. The improved lid ofclaim 7 wherein the lip is overmolded onto the inner liner.
 10. Theimproved lid of claim 7 wherein the lip is plastic.
 11. The improved lidof claim 7 wherein the lip includes a hinge flexibly connecting the lipto the liner.
 12. A lid for a clothes washing machine having a topcover, comprising: an outer lid portion; an inner lid liner attached tothe outer portion, and having a rearward edge; a seal integrally formedon the inner liner and extending rearwardly so as to engage the topcover when the lid is closed; and a hinge to permit flexing of the seal.